Cuff linked, p.7
Cuff Linked, page 7
“Wait,” he grumbled, moving behind her and lifting her gently onto his lap, “I got you now. Go ahead, put it on. I will hold you through it.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, and fresh tears spilled from her eyes, constricting his heart.
“Does it hurt already?”
“Not yet, it’s just, thank you. I am so glad you’re here,” she whispered closing her eyes.
Then she moved quickly, pulling the cork out of the wide-mouth jar, she stuck two fingers into the pungent smelling salve and smeared it across her abdomen whispering an incantation he could not quite make out.
The thick, tar-like substance sizzled and smoked, and Noemi arched her back, gritting her teeth against her scream until she could no longer hold it in. Rami could hardly bare it. He’d never had his mettle tested like this.
He wanted to rage, to shift, to hunt those motherfuckers down and tear their throats out. But Noemi needed him. He could get them later, she needed him now. And if it were a contest between his mate and the assholes who hurt her, she would win. Every. Single. Time.
Once the ointment stopped sizzling, Noemi slumped against him. His little Druid had passed out. But she was breathing steadily, and looking down, he saw her wound knitting itself closed even as he watched.
“Holy fucking hell,” he mumbled, holding her carefully, but firmly in his arms.
He never wanted to let go. But after fifteen minutes on the hard floor, he realized she needed to be more comfortable. Plus, he hated the blood-stained clothes she wore.
Those Wolves would pay. He would see to that. But first, he needed to tend his mate.
Mine, snarled the Lion.
Noemi woke up early. Or was it late? She blinked slowly as the events of last night came rushing back to her.
Damn Wolves had come back to steal something else from the store. They had no qualms with hurting her to get what they wanted, either. Savages! It was criminals like them that gave all supernaturals a bad rep.
“Hey there,” a familiar, deep voice rumbled from directly behind her, and Noemi’s mouth went dry.
“Rami,” she sighed his name and leaned back into his arms.
“You, okay? Here, have some water, roohi,” he sat up without jostling her, and she realized he was still nervous about hurting her.
“It’s okay,” she said, accepting the cool glass of liquid, “I’m all healed.”
“Healed? Really?”
“Yeah,” she lifted her shirt to prove it, and set the now empty glass down on the side table.
Rami’s dark gaze seemed to turn gold as he looked at her skin. There were three thin lines where the Wolf had torn into her. A small scar for all the damage they could have done.
“I’m sorry you were hurt,” he murmured and bent his head to kiss the injury, “so sorry,” he whispered over and over again, kissing Noemi’s belly, then her breasts, and finally her lips.
She moaned into his embrace. The Lion so much a part of him, she could feel his beast rumbling deep inside, knew what he wanted. To mate her, to claim her. And yes, Noemi wanted that too.
“Need you, Rami,” she whispered, tugging on his shirt.
“My cuffs,” he murmured, and her hands moved to the cuff links that held the sleeves together.
“They’re beautiful,” she said.
“They were my father’s,” he explained, and she could have sworn he blushed.
“I’ll put them here,” she smiled and placed them in the jewelry dish she had on the stand.
Noemi turned the tides, pushing him down onto the mattress while she straddled his hips. Then they were melting into each other. Kissing, touching, licking, nibbling, every inch. Learning every contour, every muscular ridge of his large pecs, washboard abs, and enormous biceps. Rami was built like a god. One she wanted to worship. And she did.
Before she sank down on the solid twelve inches of rock-hard between his thighs, Rami stopped her.
“You know what I am, Noemi.”
“A Lion,” she nodded.
“Then you know I speak the truth when I tell you I love you.”
Her eyes widened, but she nodded her head. It was not prudent for a being who could scent lies and read them so easily in others to tell them himself. He loved her then. It was true. And the knowledge warmed her.
“I want to claim you, roohi, to make you mine.”
Noemi smiled from ear to ear. Whatever happened in this world she’d always trusted herself, and the gods, to guide her down the right path. She’d come to New York for a reason. To fulfill her dreams of owning her own bakery, but also to find her destiny.
“Yes,” she asserted as she took him deep inside of her body.
The feel of him stretching her walls, penetrating her down to her marrow was incredible. His hoarse cry as he pushed into her heat was music to her ears. She swallowed the next, kissing him, cherishing him with her mouth.
His hips jutted upwards, and she took it, took all of him in stride. Flexing her body, rolling, and swiveling into every perfect pivot he made. Noemi trembled, gasping as he proceeded to touch every nerve-ending she had, and maybe a few she didn’t know existed.
Just when she thought it couldn’t get any better, that he couldn’t get any better, he did. Rami flipped them again, turning the tide, and taking lead. His perfectly orchestrated movements designed to bring her pleasure.
“That’s it, roohi, take all of me,” he ground out as he flexed his hips, sinking his cock even deeper.
Every stroke against her secret, hidden spot inside of her, left Noemi gasping for air. Soon she was nothing but feeling. Her orgasm swelled from deep inside of her, rising higher and higher like an unstoppable tide. Noemi yelled, gripping his shoulders, moving her head, and exposing her neck to him. She knew what he needed, and what she wanted. To wear his mark.
Her orgasm reached crescendo, and Rami struck. His long canines sliced through her skin like butter, and he came with a mighty roar. Noemi felt his Shifter magic bind to hers, wrapping around them in an unbreakable bond.
“Mate,” she whispered, kissing his forehead as they clung to one another.
“Yes, roohi, you are my mate, my soul. I love you,” he replied.
“I love you too.”
Epilogue
“So, you’re his mate, huh? And you are a Druid? What’s that? Some kind of Witch.”
“Not exactly,” Noemi smiled at the captain, who was already crazy over the woman who brought him three dozen glazed donuts.
“Oh, really? Okay, well is it true you want to join the SCNYC?” Captain Luani replied.
“Yes, Captain. There is quite a large Druid community in New York, and they need representation. I have been corresponding with the local covens for some time.”
“I see,” he mumbled around a bite of donut, okay, more like half the donut.
“Cap, you gonna keep questioning my mate or, are you gonna give us your blessing already?”
“I don’t know, numb nuts, you gonna take my seat like I asked?”
“What does he mean?” Noemi asked, blue eyes sparkling mischievously.
“The Primus is moving up to a higher rank on the Council and wants me to represent the Pride. And yes, I will, Captain,” he said nodding at the man who was now grinning from ear to ear.
“Rami,” Noemi gasped, “We can work together! That would be wonderful!”
“Yes, roohi,” he nodded.
“Alright, let’s get this out of the way then-”
“Excuse me, Captain, Detective Sergeant Llewellyn, a call is on line six for you from a Dante Pascal, he said it was urgent,” a uniformed cop interrupted.
Rami looked at his Primus who gestured for him to take the phone call there. He inhaled, met Noemi’s eyes, then took the call.
“This is Llewellyn.”
“Detective,” Dante Pascal said from the other line, and Rami could swear he heard something strange in his voice even if he was slightly out of breath.
Something that sounded suspiciously like happiness. He looked at Noemi, taking in the contented smile on her beautiful face, and immediately his Lion chuffed.
Yes, Rami thought, the man seemed at ease somehow. His wheels began turning and he listened with a cop’s ear as Dante spoke.
“Just thought you’d like to know I found her.”
“Glad to hear it. You know we still have some unsolved crimes here involving the Wolves, including two who attacked my mate,” he couldn’t help the growl in his voice.
“Marty Shannon and Joey Ramos. They won’t be a problem anymore. You’ll find them, or what’s left, in a warehouse in Brooklyn between Reed and Conduit.”
“I see,” Rami said, relief and anger at not being the one to end them warring within him, “I suppose there will be no evidence you were there?”
“That’s right.”
“And the gambling? You got a name for me, Pascal?”
“Sure do. The Claw Pack has two main players. I think you’ll find their Alpha, Armand Contreras complicit in all their illegal dealings, including a gambling ring run by his son Rico. He’s not the heir and trying to make a name, impress his dad by being a thug. Armand’s a mean old bastard. Ruthless, trying to muscle in on the Greenwich Pack’s territory. He’s responsible for Daphne’s kidnapping.”
“I know you Wolves like to govern yourselves, but we are here to help you. The Shifter Council will need to know about this.”
“I know, detective, and I agree. These guys have to be stopped.”
“Do you have evidence of this wrongdoing so I can get a warrant and nail these bastards?”
“Of course, detective. That’s why I’m calling,” Dante explained, “Everything you need to get a warrant on those assholes is in the trunk of a 2006 Camry stashed at All Night Parking near the warehouse with the bodies. Ask for Jose, he’ll lead you to it.”
“I will,” Rami paused, understanding between the two men seemed to grow despite the fact they stood on vastly different sides of the law, “You sound winded, Dante. Want me to send an ambulance?”
“It’s just the adrenaline. But thanks, detective.”
“No problem. How about your girl? She okay, too?”
“Yeah, we’re both good.”
“Glad to hear it. You’ve been quite helpful.”
“See ya around, detective.”
The subtle click told Rami he’d hung up.
“Well?” Noemi approached as Rami replaced the phone in the cradle.
“I just got a major lead,” he turned to the captain, “Before I go?”
“Oh yeah,” the robust man wiped his mouth and stood before Rami and his mate, “Noemi Donato, I hereby officially welcome you as the Primus of the Luani Pride into the fold as the mate of Rami Llewellyn, my Tertius, and the new Luani Pride representative for the Shifter Council of New York City. By the way, we’ve received your request for membership, and it has been approved.”
“It has? Oh, my gods!” Noemi gasped and covered her mouth in her glee.
“Yeah,” the captain’s cheeks turned ruddy, when she kissed his cheek and almost bowled Rami over in her exuberance, “Congratulations, you are the new Druid representative in the Council.”
Rami drove his sweet mate back to their apartment in his family brownstone. After he’d claimed her, he asked her to move in with him and she accepted. It would take a few days to move her in completely, but he had her with him when it counted, and that was all Rami needed to be happy.
“Hello, my two sweeties,” Nana was checking the mail when they pulled up, and Noemi exited the vehicle with a ready kiss and hug for the older woman, who seemed to adopt her on sight.
“Hello, Mrs. LLew-, I mean, Nana. I brought you some sliced rye,” Noemi handed the older woman the package of fresh baked bread.
The women exchanged some more greetings while he waited, then his grandmother gave him a knowing wink and his mate turned to him. He still couldn’t believe it. She was really his.
“Don’t you have to go?” Noemi asked as he followed her up the stairs and into their bedroom.
“I do, but there is something I need to do first,” he growled, “It will only take a minute.”
“A minute? I guess Shifters aren’t so different than humans after they mate,” she joked.
“I think you earned yourself a spanking for that one, sweet mate, but I wasn’t talking about sex,” he grinned and took off his clothes.
“Oh? Then what?” Noemi’s eyes widened appreciatively as they traversed his body, but Rami had to put his baser needs to the background. This could not wait a moment longer.
“My Lion wants to meet you,” he began, gauging her reaction.
“Alright,” she said, and knelt on the bed.
“Don’t be afraid,” he frowned, realizing his beast might be daunting in so small a space.
“I’m not, Rami, please, I want to meet him too.”
“Okay, roohi,” he grinned, and welcomed the familiar hum that danced along his skin.
In the blink of an eye Rami moved from man to beast. He embraced his shift swiftly, and what was once pain was now nothing more than a few tingles. He stretched his claws, opening his mouth wide in a typical feline yawn before turning to his mate. The female stared in awe of his mighty beast, and the animal soul within preened at her attention.
Usually, this type of thing would happen before a mating took place, but Rami was not one for doing things the ordinary way. Just looking at his sweet mate, and he knew he had made the right choice.
“Can I touch you?” Noemi asked in a breathy sort of whisper, but his keen sense of hearing picked up her words without any trouble.
He grumbled, chuffing happily as he stepped near her outstretched hand. Soon he was purring like a housecat as Noemi ran her soft fingers through his mane and the coarser, denser fur on his chest and back.
“You are so beautiful,” she said.
Happy as he was to have her continue, Rami still had a job to do. His Lion snarled at him, but the man was insistent.
Later, he promised his beast. We have all the time in the world with her now.
“Thank you,” she smiled and kissed his lips when he returned to his human form.
“I should be thanking you, roohi,” he said, kissing her back, but ending it all too briefly at the constant buzzing coming from his cell.
“You be careful out there,” Noemi reminded him, as Rami shrugged back on his clothes and picked up the phone.
“Of course, my love,” he smiled then looked down, “Damn. Looks like my friend Dante set off an explosion to cover his tracks. Smart move. I just hope he put the evidence we need in that car he mentioned.”
“It will work out, I’m sure,” she said and her confidence in him was right there on her face, made him want to pound his chest and roar to the world.
Fuck, she truly was amazing. Mysterious, sweet, kind, and sexy as hell. Rami was one lucky cop. Shit. That reminded him.
“Are you sure about this, Noemi? You can be mated to a Lion and a cop?”
His mate bounced off the bed, her delightful curves outlined in the loose fall dress she wore over bare feet. She had to stand on tiptoe to kiss him sweetly on the mouth before she answered.
“I am already mated to you, Rami Llewellyn, and I love every inch of you, blue blood included. Now, go do your job. I’ll be waiting for you when you get home. Every night. Whether I am here or at the bakery, I am yours, Rami. Forever,” she sighed and touched her mouth to his one more time.
It was just what he needed to hear before he left for the crime scene over in Brooklyn. The 135th boys and girls in blue were already on site and a couple of supe-friendly firetrucks were there too.
Just another day, but this time there was something waiting for Rami at home. Or rather, someone, he should say. And she was worth every ounce of energy it took to clean up his city. She was worth it all.
Mine.
* * *
The end.
Look for the other side to this story in Elena Kincaid’s Down In Flames.
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About the Author
Hello!
I'm C.D. Gorri, Bestselling, Award-Winning, Steamy Paranormal Romance, Young Adult/Urban Fantasy Author, and Creator of the Grazi Kelly Universe.
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I've always been an avid reader with a profound love for books and literature. When I'm not writing or taking care of my family I can usually be found with a book or tablet in my hand. I live in my home state of New Jersey with my husband, our children, and our dogs, Dash and Chewie.
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As a busy mom of three I know finding time for the things I enjoy, like reading, is never easy! That is why I write stories that are fast-paced, yet detailed with satisfying conclusions. Now that I've started, I can't picture myself doing anything else. I simply adore writing powerful women and loyal heroes who face relatable problems in supernatural settings. I plan on adding to the Grazi Kelly Universe with each and every story I publish.
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If you pick one up you can expect sassy, curvy heroines and sexy, love-driven heroes who find their HEAs between the pages of my stories. My characters include Werewolves, Bears, Dragons, Tigers, Witches, Romani, Lynxes, Foxes, Thunderbirds, Vampires, and many more Shifters and supernatural creatures. The most important thing is the mates in my universe are fated and loyal and they always get their happily-ever-afters.
